The effect of a sticker depends on each procedure in the sticker process. The correct use of sticker tape can improve the printing quality.
1. The temperature has a great influence on the use of sticker tape. All operations should be performed at room temperature to avoid affecting the viscosity due to temperature.
2. Before affixing, the surface of the plate and roller should be kept clean. Dust, rust, ink and other dirt will destroy the adhesive force of the tape, resulting in poor adhesion and warpage phenomenon. Plates and plate rollers should be cleaned with high alcohol concentrations because other chemical solvents may damage the plate or sleeve.
3. When pasting, the area of ​​the sticker tape should be larger than the area of ​​the plate, so the edge of the tape should be larger than the edge of the plate, which can greatly reduce the risk of warpage.
4. When attaching a plate, the interface of the plate and the interface of the tape should be avoided. If the interface of the plate is facing the interface of the tape, the printing plate at the interface may easily be stuck, the edge may be awkward, and the plate may come off.
5. Do not directly press the tape directly with the adhesive tape. Take double-sided adhesive tape to remove one side of the paper. Do not open the release paper immediately. After a part of the tape is fixed, gradually release the release paper. Adhere the tape to the plate cylinder in accordance with the position of the plate. In the sticking process, because the pressure of the hand on the tape is not uniform, if the hand tape is used to roll the tape, it is easy to form small bubbles, and it is also possible to damage fine dots. The softer rubber roller can be used to evenly paste the tape. The method of rolling is compacting from the middle to both sides in a "human" shape, so that the air in the middle of the tape can be squeezed out. There is currently a roller with a needle in the market, which is also very effective for the elimination of bubbles.
6. After the plate is attached, in order to prevent the ink and solvent from contacting the tape and the adhesive on the edge of the plate at the time of printing and cleaning, a circle of edge-sealing tape may be affixed around the plate to avoid warpage phenomenon. The thickness of the edge tape is preferably thin.
7. During unloading, it is recommended that the plate be slowly and smoothly removed at an angle of less than 90° (the angle of the tangent between the removed plate and the surface of the drum) so that the plate can be prevented from wrinkling or cracking. The slower the unloading, the weaker the adhesive force to the tape material, and vice versa, the faster the adhesive force. When unloading the tape, the method is the same as that for removing the plate material.
Flexography is a fine printing process where many variables need to be controlled.